The Aduramis Chronicles: Volumes 1-3: The Definitive Collection

by Harrison Davies

  So then we don’t fail, a quiet voice inside him encouraged. It was not his own, but the deep tones of his father, and it emboldened him for the action ahead.

  He considered the giant orc, stood opposite his makeshift bed, a comfortable upholstered day bed. The orc was looking through a window and into the night. Coinin stretched and crossed over to Len’i.

  ‘Ah, Coinin, you are awake. I did not disturb you?’ Len’i asked.

  ‘Not at all, I was just wondering if there is something that troubles you.’

  ‘For once, I am sorry that I am an orc. I will be unable to wear a Rodine guards uniform and become the first to infiltrate the castle.’

  Coinin shook his head. ‘Never apologise for what you are. You have much value. So much so, in fact, that I want you to lead a second infiltration squad.’ He knew the orc’s training and speed would prove useful.

  Len’i cocked his head. ‘I know nothing of a second squad.’

  ‘I was saving my plan for the last minute.’ Coinin checked that they were alone. ‘I have learned not to trust outsiders outright, so I have devised a backup plan. I have spoken with Meone –’

  ‘The Felisis?’

  ‘Yes. She confided in me that there is a little-known tunnel, long secured, that leads to the palace under the lake. Apparently, it was an escape tunnel for the royal family in times of trouble.’

  ‘I think I see where you are going with this train of thought. You wish me to create a distraction inside the castle so the other squad can extract the king?’

  ‘Not quite. It is the other way around. The tunnel will provide the perfect escape route. Better than over ground. I want you to make your way through this tunnel, infiltrate the palace and secure the king.’

  Len’i rose to his full height proudly. ‘It would be an honour to serve you. Do we know the layout of the palace?’

  ‘Meone will provide plans to the palace. They are stored in the temple library. She has gone to fetch them.’

  Len’i clapped his hands together. Finally feeling useful, he was happy and grateful that Coinin would place such trust in him. Not so long ago Len’i had revealed that he had been part of a squad of orcs sent to ransack Coinin’s village, and a trio of orcs, against the orders, as he understood them, had killed the curator’s parents when he was just a child. Coinin had forgiven him, but with the proviso that Len’i serve The Brotherhood in whatever fashion and he had promised faithfully to do so.

  ‘It would be best that I take only four men,’ Len’i decided. ‘Stealth is crucial, and a whole squad of men traipsing through the palace will attract the guard. Two to defend the tunnel and the others to come with me.’

  ‘You haven’t seen the plans yet,’ Coinin reminded.

  ‘With respect, Curator, the plans will only serve to show the likely location of the king.’

  Coinin nodded. ‘As you say, stealth is your friend.’

  ❖

  Meone rolled up the map and placed it to one side. She sat once more at the long, grand dining table that The Brotherhood had secured for the final briefing before they assaulted the palace. The senior order sat upon high-backed chairs, while The Brotherhood soldiers stood around the circumference. Thankfully, the room was large enough to accommodate all of those gathered, though the space was warm and stuffy.

  The plan had been refined, and all parties knew their role to play. Marrok had been a little put out that he had not been chosen to secure the king. Coinin had pointed out that his aggression would be best served by creating the distraction.

  The proposed infiltration had changed after much discussion, and it was to Coinin’s testament as a leader that he was open to suggestions to better the plan. After speaking to Sonny further regarding the movement of the city guard, it was decided that they would still subdue the incoming guard en route to relieve the palace guard. The Brotherhood would replace them, though instead of letting the former guard leave, they would quietly hold them prisoner. That way meant fewer soldiers free to mount a counter attack.

  If all went well, Len’i and his men would only have a handful of guards in the palace to deal with.

  Coinin had opted to assist Len’i and, nervous as he was, he knew he would be in good hands. There had been plenty of objections to his joining the raid, of course, but Coinin had insisted. If he was ever to learn the art of battle, he needed to be in the thick of it.

  ‘How will we identify your source, so he comes to no harm?’ Jericho asked Sonny.

  ‘Never fear, he will be well clear. He will feign illness and return home,’ Sonny assured.

  ‘You have not told him of our plans?’ Coinin said almost accusingly.

  ‘Of course not. What do you take me for? I gave no hint as to the need for uniforms, just that he should return home early, besides, he holds duty in the king’s warehouse on the other side of the city this eve,’ Sonny replied, somewhat annoyed. ‘My assumption is that he will believe that a raid will take place against the warehouse.’

  Coinin’s stare lingered longer than was polite, but Sonny’s own gaze remained steadfast and unblinking. ‘Very well. Brothers and Sisters, today we liberate a country and reunite its people with the rightful king of this land. A cause for celebration, yes, but let us not forget that each and every person loyal to Jarek will do all they can to prevent us from accomplishing that goal. Make no mistake, each soldier, for that is what we go against, will kill you given half the chance. Do not offer them that chance. Subdue quietly where you can, kill only as a last resort, but be the first to act. Archmage, may I prevail upon you to offer a prayer?’

  Marrok dug Jericho in the ribs. ‘He’s really getting the hang of public speaking,’ he whispered.

  ‘It’s all that knowledge in his brain bursting to get out. One minute he’ll sound eloquent, then next he’ll sound like…well, not,’ Jericho returned.

  ‘Quiet please,’ Menin said. ‘Lord Rindor. May we forever be in your service and exult in your glory. May our deeds only serve to honour your name. Lord Rindor, grant us safe passage this eve, and may our personal sacrifices not go unrewarded. Our service, then, only in your everlasting name. Faith and law guide you. So be it.’

  So be it! the gathered chorused.

  ‘Archmage, I bid you farewell. Zaruun, escort Laliala to safety, please. We shall meet on the other side.’

  Menin looked a little hurt that she would not be joining them for the next stage; however, her safety was vital. For the leader of the world’s largest religious order to be captured by a foreign king and be exposed as seditious would send ripples throughout the lands of Er’ath.

  Menin smiled grimly and nodded. ‘Be safe, Curator.’

  Zaruun and Menin donned their thick woollen cloaks, covered their heads and left silently.

  Coinin watched his mentor leave and turned to those assembled. ‘Fortune, all. Meone and Len’i, with me. The rest of you know what to do.’

  Coinin gripped arms with Marrok who slipped him a long, thin knife. Coinin began to protest and was interrupted.

  ‘It may just save your life, so take it,’ Marrok insisted.

  Coinin gave a small nod and then marched from the room, eager to get started and not delay the inevitable any longer. He headed to the rear entrance, and outwardly he appeared calm. Inwardly it was a different story. His insides grumbled and fluttered, and odd little gaseous belches escaped occasionally, such was his nerves. But he was determined to show that he had earned the right to call himself curator.

  Outside was peacefully and unnervingly quiet. Sonny had explained that most people had sought refuge in other cities while Jarek waged war, and only the bravest remained behind to carry on the work needed by any city to function.

  Brave or coerced? Coinin had thought at the time of Sonny’s telling.

  The alleyway was cobbled, and the sounds of their footsteps echoed loudly and did nothing to calm the nerves. Dark shadows were interspersed with the odd streak of light coming from a window or through a gap in the
houses from the streetlamps beyond.

  The pentad, two female and three male, had turned right and they now headed quickly towards the lake, following Meone who would guide them to the secret entrance that hid the palace tunnel.

  Len’i had managed to cover his head and upper body but his long legs meant that he was exposed from the knee down. They, therefore, had to move quickly and quietly through the wet streets. Thankfully, the downpour had continued, which meant the majority of people who remained in the city would seek shelter and thus they were likely to remain largely undetected.

  They reached the alley’s end and checking that the way was clear they sprinted across the road and into shadow between the gas-fired lamps.

  ‘How much further, Meone?’ Len’i asked as they jogged from shadow to shadow.

  ‘We need to follow the road until we see the spire of the Ruminy building,’ Meone replied, a little breathless.

  ‘Ruminy?’

  ‘Yes, another faith that has grown stronger these past years.’ The disdainful look on Meone’s face was unmistakable. ‘They built their place of worship this past year. Only, they built upon the entrance we seek. Thankfully, as keeper of the architectural plans, I was able to make a slight modification to them so that the entrance would not be blocked. You never know when such a thing would come in handy for the resistance.’

  ‘Are you a seer, Meone?’ Coinin asked.

  Meone laughed. ‘Nothing so grand. Though I do believe Rindor had a hand in it, for just such an occasion.’

  ‘Fortunately for us, he did then.’

  Meone looked up against the lashing rain. Oh, how she hated water. ‘There it is,’ she pointed ahead. ‘There is the spire, you can just make it out.’

  Len’i stopped, and the others followed suit. ‘Wait up! I see movement ahead. I will venture forth and check the way is clear.’

  ‘Len’i?’ Meone purred. ‘Perhaps I should wander that way. After all, I am a citizen of this land and a respected member of The Brotherhood. It would look far less suspicious if I were to be seen on the street than say, you.’

  Len’i looked to Coinin for a decision.

  ‘She has a point, Len’i’. Coinin cocked his head. ‘Don’t you agree?’

  ‘In this, I concur, Curator. For once it may be prudent to defer to local knowledge.’

  Quick as lightning and considerably quieter than the thunder that generally accompanies it, Meone vanished into the rainy night. The four remaining bodies stepped backwards into the darkness of a building entrance and waited silently with bated breath.

  Meone padded quietly, only the faintest squelch of rainwater belied her location, and she was within a whisker of the two men standing guard outside of the Ruminy building when the guard closest to her whirled around in shock.

  ‘Ere, don’t be sneakin’ up on people like that. Damn near took yer ‘head off with my sword, I did,’ the young man exclaimed in surprise. His companion reached for his sword hilt and held it firmly.

  ‘My apologies, gentlemen, it was not my intention to scare you.’

  The young guard puffed out his chest and coughed. ‘We ain’t scared, is we, Los?’

  Los, his companion, flushed and shook his oversized head.

  ‘See? Now what you doin’ out ‘ere in this storm?’

  ‘I’ve been seeking the city guard. I believe that someone is attempting to loot houses some way back.’

  ‘Is that right? Well, we’re not city guards, and we’re not permitted to leave our post. You’ll ‘ave to find help somewhere else.’

  ‘No time,’ said a gruff voice.

  Both guards turned quickly to the newcomer and felt huge clawed hands grip their heads. With one powerful swing, Len’i cracked their heads together, and they collapsed in a heap.

  ‘Did … did you just kill them?’ Meone asked in shock, her heart pounding at Len’i’s ability to sneak up on her.

  ‘No, they will wake with sore heads, however. We must secure them. Send for the others, I will stand guard,’ the gigantic brown and green orc replied, his fangs glinting in the dim light.

  The others arrived in short order and Morn and Tarel, the two Brotherhood soldiers, bound and gagged the unconscious guards and bundled them into the dark recesses of the Ruminy building entranceway.

  ‘Where to now, Meone?’ Coinin said.

  ‘We need to be inside. There is a basement hatch at the rear where we should be able to gain entry without anyone noticing.’ Meone nodded in the general direction and set off.

  The others followed quickly, and half a minute later they were all gathered around a wooden hatch that guarded the building’s basement.

  ‘This won’t take a moment.’ Len’i flexed his enormous muscles and then bent and gripped two handles that protruded from the hatchway. He heaved and pulled with all his might and after a few seconds the strain was too much for the wooden frame, and it gave way with a spectacular crunch and splinter of wood. Len’i was left holding two doors in his hand which he promptly dropped. ‘See? I told you.’

  ‘Well done, Len’i,’ Coinin praised, and stepped down into the basement via a set of newly laid steps.

  Little light penetrated the basement but Coinin had come prepared. He took a flint and striker and proceeded to light a wick attached to an oil lamp he had been carrying. Within thirty seconds he had successfully lit the lamp, and now a warm glow sent soft shadows across the room. Rain droplets on the lid of the lamp hissed briefly as they warmed and evaporated.

  The room itself was far from bare. The basement was being used as a storehouse, with shelving adorning every wall and several freestanding shelves in long rows that held books - expensive leather-bound, hand stitched volumes.

  ‘It appears the Ruminy have their own library. I wonder what they teach?’ Coinin asked.

  Meone turned to him. ‘Sacrifice, predominantly. I hear that they hold a sacrificial ritual once every full moon. There’s also talk of damnation for all who refuse to follow their teachings.’

  Coinin frowned. ‘This is a serious charge, and one we must bring up at the mage council. Sacrifice cannot be permitted to go on.’

  ‘I’m sure we will have plenty of time to talk later, but right now we have a king to abduct,’ Len’i said.

  Coinin slapped his forehead. ‘Len’i is correct. Lead the way, Meone.’

  Meone sniffed the air to check for uninvited guests hiding in the shadows and walked to the far corner nearest to where they had encountered the guards. Reaching the corner, she stepped aside and pointed to a spot on the wall. ‘Len’i, please kick this spot hard.’

  Len’i looked at the Felisis with uncertainty.

  Meone smiled. ‘Trust me.’

  ‘Go ahead, Len’i,’ Coinin said. ‘We don’t have all night, as you yourself pointed out moments ago.’

  Len’i growled and ripped off his cloak for better manoeuvrability. He threw it to the ground and then with his back to the wall, he reverse kicked at the spot Meone had indicated. There was a great crack and dust fell from the bare floorboards above them. He kicked again and again, all in all several times, until a hole big enough to fit his head through had been formed. Debris and dust was everywhere, and the fine particles tickled the throat.

  He didn’t stop there, though. He gripped the sides of the hole with his bare hands and yanked, such as he did with the hatchway. Chunks of the wall, complete with plaster and wooden slats, came away until, finally, they all saw... nothing. A rock wall faced them.

  All heads turned to Meone seeking an explanation.

  Meone shook her head and stepped forward. She bent and reached deep inside of the hole and within a few seconds all heard a click followed by a grinding of rock on rock.

  Part of the rock wall, the size of a large human, shifted backwards and then moved to the side to reveal a dark tunnel beyond.

  ‘How did you manage to conceal this, Meone?’ Len’i asked.

  ‘I paid very well to keep this secret.’

  �
�Not from temple coffers, I hope,’ Coinin asked.

  ‘I will not tell a lie. Yes, indeed, I used funds from the temple collections.’

  Coinin laughed. ‘At least it was put to good use. Shall we?’

  Len’i insisted on going first, and it took him a minute to squeeze his bulk through the small opening. But once inside the tunnel widened and he could stand without much trouble.

  ‘There are torches left and right,’ Meone declared.

  Coinin extinguished the oil lamp he carried and accepted a flaming torch from Len’i, favouring to save the oil lamp for emergencies.

  The air was breathable, if only slightly stale. Coinin had grown accustomed to travelling in such confines that his fear of enclosed spaces had all but disappeared. Though, a new fear threatened to rear its ugly head. Everywhere he looked, webs, giant and never-ending, occupied the length of the tunnel as far as he could see. Seeing this, he took up the rear and permitted Len’i and the others to clear a path. But that didn’t ease the thought that at any moment a swarm of spiders as big as his hand could overwhelm him and scuttle him away as a prize catch. He watched as the terrifyingly hairy eight-legged creatures scurried away into dark recesses as the group neared. Only their many and unblinking eyes glinting in the darkness gave away their positions.

  He shivered and tried to remain close, but not too close to the rest of the group and not too far away that the darkness shrouded him from behind. He knew the moment that they had passed by that the spiders would re-emerge and begin the task of rebuilding their webs. He wondered, if only briefly, what it was that the spiders found appetising to eat in this dark pit.

  It seemed as if they had travelled for hours and Coinin was about to call for a rest when Morn came to an abrupt halt ahead of him.

  ‘What is it?’ Coinin peered over Morn’s shoulder.

  ‘I think we’re here.’

  ‘Step aside, I wish to see.’ Coinin permitted Morn to reposition himself, and he squeezed by, almost heaving at the remaining cobwebs as they tangled in his hair.